THANDEKA INNOCENTIA Mtsweni
Food product developer
Pretoria
Summary
Forward-thinking Product Developer problem-solves and collaborates with clients and company personnel. Adept at setting long-term goals and following through with high-quality customer service and long-term relationships. Offering extensive knowledge o. Forward-thinking Product Developer problem-solves and collaborates with clients and company personnel. Adept at setting long-term goals and following through with high-quality customer service and long-term relationships. Offering extensive knowledge of bakery, Ready to eat food,Long life products etc.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
Product Developer
In2food
Benoni, JHB
3 2022 - Current
- Uses apps like Trendup, Mintel and other research engines to identify trending food products
- Manages product formulation process
- Provide ongoing in-store Training and Refresher Training
- Conducts product sensory evaluation on kitchen trials and with customer on sample presentation
- Upgrade and develop new innovative, cost effective & factory orientated products
- Help drive & initiate profitable growth of allocated categories through innovative product development and upgrades
- Project management of critical path with various teams to enable successful launches in line with customer agreements
- Liaising with suppliers for new raw material requirements, maintaining regulatory, Kosher & Halal standards
- Actively support manufacturing in troubleshooting
- Assist in updating all training manuals with relevant information
- Participate in customer complaints and investigations on product issues
- Prepare 4P documentation and update of product specifications on FPI
- Identify factory requirements for factory trials and launch
- Determine best packaging solution with suppliers
- Customer presentations: highly professional product presentations, that deliver & exceed customer expectations on product quality and documentation
- Coordinate and lead industrial trials and participate in technical activities
- Prepare BOMs and kitchen recipes
- Ensuring NPD Recipes and documentation is captured and up to date against given timelines
- Local and Global Market awareness TRENDS, constantly being aware of the market, trends & competition
- Identifying GAPS and new opportunities to grow the business
- Evaluate the success of new products in their markets
- Customer Relationship, Project Management & Clear Communication at multiple levels
- Source new raw materials, test the suitability and request food safety related documents for the raw material
- Provide troubleshooting solutions for customers
- Conduct sensory evaluation and action outcomes with the team
- Present the status of projects to the team(Production, procurement, technical and warehouse) on a weekly basis
- Ensure confidentiality of product formulations
- Attend factory trials in production to ensure upscaling from bench to factory are successful and test product thereafter for conformity to the benchmark
- Coordinate shelf life studies with the NPD Process Technologist
- Ensure compliance with regulatory standards, religious requirements etc
- Provide technical support to the buyer and sales team
- Matching of samples from customers and suppliers
- Creation and/or updating and maintenance of raw material, packaging, in-process and finished product specifications.
- Assessed competitors products and designs to compare projects.
NPD Officer
Ingreto Pty Ltd
Kya Sands, JHB
03.2020 - 03.2022
- Test baking of product samples and raw materials against set internal specifications and providing feedback to manufacturing partners and suppliers
- Draft labels for new products in accordance to the labeling legislation
- New product development (Bakery products, sauces, soups etc)
- Calculate nutritional values for final products
- Approve/reject first factory trial products samples
- Product reformulation for cost reduction and improving product quality
- Actively support manufacturing in troubleshooting
- Source and test suitable raw materials from suppliers
- Compile final product specification and maintain supplier documentation
- Compounds powder samples to be sent to customers
- Prepare samples to be presented to clients
- Lead projects by working in cross-functional teams
- Develop/draft mixing instructions for the factory
- Periodically presents project updates to top management
- Execute product development plans within product development timelines
- Manage benchtop prototype development, pilot plant/factory trials
- Compounds samples to present to customer for approval
- Initiate and continue new concepts/products
- Handle all customer specific requests and brand line extension activities within Retail and Food Service
- Work closely with business development manager.
- Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations.
- Created and managed project plans, timelines and budgets.
- Increased employee satisfaction with constructive performance evaluations and targeted feedback.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors optimally, securing best deals for the organization while maintaining excellent working relationships.
- Frequently inspected production area to verify proper equipment operation.
- Educated staff on organizational mission and goals to help employees achieve success.
- Attended personnel meetings and training sessions to improve skills and learn new policies and procedures.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
Senior Food Technologist
Sizani foods
Kyalami, Midrand
09.2016 - 03.2020
- Ensured product adherence to all food related regulations
- Compiled product specifications and MSDSs
- Mentored food technology trainees
- Responsible for QA department including staff
- Initiate process improvement initiatives to reduce manufacturing costs and improve quality.
- Following NPD process from Concept to post-launch
- Provide technical support to factory on identifying root causes of problems on product quality issues and give recommendations
- Develop formulations in compliance with relevant legislations
- Investigated customer complaints and non-conformances and proposed solutions
- Maintained and executed calibration schedule for test equipment (Fire extinguisher, scales etc
- Managed pest control system and liaised with service provider on issues relating to pest control as appointed pest control officer
- Coordinated internal and external audits
- Ensured proper implementation and maintenance of FSSC 22000 system
- Conducted mock recalls and traceability studies
- Maintained detailed HACCP system
- Submitted final products and raw materials for microbiological and chemical testing to external lab
- Evaluated product development samples through sensory evaluation
- Food safety team leader
- Trained staff on PRPs
- Developed and updated food safety and quality procedures.
- Managed pilot plant operations for successful scale-up from laboratory benchtop to full-scale production lines.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
Junior Food Technologist
Chipkins Puratos
Longmeadow, JHB
01.2015 - 12.2015
- Ordered raw materials for product development
- Compounded formulations
- Developed new products(bakery)
- Conducted factory trials
- Conducted product costing using Microsoft Excel.
- Conducted nutritional analyses for various food products to ensure accurate labeling information and compliance with regulations.
- Troubleshot issues during production process to maintain consistent product quality while minimizing downtime.
- Communicated and negotiated with ingredient suppliers and vendors to order new ingredients.
- Operated and maintained analytical and micro lab equipment to perform research work.
- Ensured compliance with regulatory standards by closely monitoring production processes and implementing necessary adjustments.
- Packaged and sent bakery product samples to clients and outside laboratories for testing and evaluation.
- Implemented sensory evaluation techniques to gather consumer feedback on new products, leading to successful product launches.
- Facilitated cost reduction through product improvements.
- Tested new, alternative raw materials through analysis, sourcing and trials.
- Converted developed formulas into production formulas to prepare for manufacturing facilities.
- Conducted shelf-life studies on new product formulations to ensure optimal storage conditions and food quality throughout life cycle.
Education
Diploma in food technology - Food Technology
Tshwane University of Technology
Pretoria 01.2012 - 05.2016
Skills
Teamwork and Collaboration
undefinedProducts Developed
Powdered drinks, Protein shakes, Bakery premixes, Ready to eat cook in sauce, RTE grains, Emulsifier blends, Stabilisers blends, Milk replacers etc.
Personal Information
Relocation: Willing to relocate
Documents And References
Available upon request
Timeline
NPD Officer
Ingreto Pty Ltd
03.2020 - 03.2022
Senior Food Technologist
Sizani foods
09.2016 - 03.2020
Junior Food Technologist
Chipkins Puratos
01.2015 - 12.2015
Diploma in food technology - Food Technology
Tshwane University of Technology
01.2012 - 05.2016
Product Developer
In2food
3 2022 - Current
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